Community Engagement Event Sunday (12:45 – 4:30) (https://globe.setac.org/community-engagement/)
If you don’t already know about the Don Mouth Naturalization and Portlands Flood Protection Project you have to check this event out! The tour of the site offers a chance for the public and SETAC members to interact with the scientists and engineers involved in this 1.2 billion dollar remediation project. SETAC members are needed to mingle with the public and answer questions and talk about their science. Also there will be various NGOs there talking about the work they’re doing to clean up the shoreline and inform policy regarding microplastics etc. This event has a $15 USD fee to offset the bus cost and you get a t-shirt to ID you to the public. You have to register online. https://toronto.setac.org/scientific-program/social-program/community-engagement/

*NEW* SETAC Connects! ​(https://globe.setac.org/setac-connects/)
This is an event in celebration of partnerships between SETAC scientists and groups engaged in various forms of citizen science, science coordination and science communication. SETAC Connects will celebrate and promote a range of topics: amazing discoveries, invaluable partnerships, opportunities for funding, connecting people to data and inspiring projects connecting citizens to science. If you are involved in citizen science and would like to promote it or know of an NGO we should include in this event, contact us (lisa.erdle@mail.utoronto.ca)

I am a Senior Research Scientist at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). My general area of expertise is Environmental Chemistry. Most of my research has been on environmental measurements of organic pollutants particularly in the Arctic, although I have been involved in quite a few studies of contaminants in the Great Lakes and in the Athabasca oil sands. In 2018, I received the WG Weston Family Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Northern Research.

Can you describe your career path and what made you pursue a career in the government and in environmental chemistry?

I obtained my PhD in Agricultural Chemistry from McGill University (Montreal, Canada) where I studied herbicides like atrazine and DDT, as well as PCBs. That is also where I learned extraction methods that are still in use today. Following my PhD, I joined the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) at the Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg, Manitoba, which is where I met my initial mentors and collaborators. At DFO, I was well-supported in terms of availability of technicians and instrumentation, as well as overall good management support. My first PhD student, Mark Servos, who is now a Professor at University of Waterloo, did his research at Experimental Lakes Area where David Schindler was the senior scientist. Subsequently I collaborated with Dave on several other projects, notably Karen Kidd’s study of pollutants in Lake Laberge, Yukon. However, in 1995, there were major federal cutbacks that caused a lot of uncertainty at DFO. As a result I moved to Burlington, Ontario in 1997 to take an opportunity with ECCC’s Canadian Centre for Inland Waters (CCIW) which was not under the same pressure of cuts as DFO at the time.

Have you had any personal heroes or mentors during your scientific career?

My initial supervisor at DFO, Lyle Lockhart, encouraged me to attend SETAC meetings early on in my career, even offering me to go in his place. I started attending SETAC regularly starting in 1979 and that network greatly influenced my career growth in terms of the scientific point of view, as that is where I met a lot of my future mentors and collaborators such as Don Mackay, Phil Howard, and Ross Norstrom (from whom I learned about dioxins in arctic animals). It is at SETAC that I received a lot of feedback on my work, and this gave me a good international perspective. After arriving at ECCC, I also developed welcoming and fruitful collaborations with Keith Solomon and Scott Mabury, which helped propel my career.

Have you faced obstacles in your career path, and if yes, what were they, what have they taught you, and if you could would you change the way you tackled them, after years of experience?

I don’t tend to dwell on the obstacles, but if I had to mention one, it is the challenges I have faced in maintaining good relationships with administrators and managers within the government. Also, under the Harper administration, we were frequently not permitted to speak to media about scientific publications, not even science journalists. We had to submit everything for approval before we could comment on anything. Previously we had been quite open. For example, my paper on brominated flame retardants in polar bears in 2006, had received a lot of media attention and I was interviewed over 20 times for print and radio. However, 6 years later, after the Harper administration brought in a tighter policy, the media office was asking me if I had training. Overall, the restriction affected ECCC’s reputation as well as attendance at conferences, but fortunately, not the scientific output.

a) What have you observed as challenges that women in science generally face and what do you think is the greatest challenge they face? Do you think these challenges have changed over the years, and how?

One thing that comes to mind is balancing career and family, especially in earlier years when men did not take as much part in the balance. In terms of gender ratio at ECCC, I believe the ratio is close to 50/50 now for scientists (although that may not yet be the case for research scientist category), so hiring biases is not as much of an issue, but that is a more recent phenomenon; in the 90s when I was mid-career, fewer woman were in sciences. It was a time when you wouldn’t hear of men taking time off for parental leave. Even now, mothers make the biggest commitment and this can impact their productivity.

b) Choosing male vs female candidate

I look for the quality of the scientist, who they’ve worked with, the publications from that group, and recommendation from previous professors. If there is a large gap in employment record then that comes into play but wouldn’t be a deciding factor as long as there was an explanation.

You have helped many female scientists flourish under your guidance – what has been your approach in terms of mentoring young scientists? And does your approach change based on the challenges they are likely to face?

I wouldn’t say that I have taken a different approach, but I’ve been lucky enough to get highly motivated people. I mostly don’t get too social or personal with students and mentees, and this has worked well in terms of building strong scientific relationships. I remember earlier in my career in Winnipeg, the work space encouraged social gatherings, and so we socialised at work a lot and there was no gender disparity and it encouraged team building. However, in Burlington, the meeting rooms are scarce and hard to book, which doesn’t encourage informal team building. In order to overcome this challenge, I keep an open-door policy, and frequently go to people’s offices to talk to them. Meeting them in their ‘turf’ helps make people feel at ease.

You portray equal opportunity not only to women in science, but also diversity in science. As far as I know, you have successfully mentored both disabled and visible minority women. In your opinion, what are some fundamental tools necessary for women, disabled women or minority women, to succeed?

I think to ensure their success, you need to provide these women with the tools they need to succeed. For example, I have worked a lot with Dr. Linda Campbell, who is deaf. I am in awe of her ability to operate so effectively as a scientist. She could lip read well, but needed the right tools to continue to work. For example, a white board in the office was useful to allow for communicating through writing. The challenge sometimes was to get support from administration at ECCC. In terms of minority women, I wouldn’t say I do anything different than any other mentee, I try to give them opportunities to showcase their talents and network by sending them to meetings and workshops related to their expertise as much as possible. Even if it meant that I had to get creative about where the funding came from.

Do you observe a greater lack of confidence in female scientists vs male scientists? If yes, do you have any advice to overcome this?

That’s an interesting point, and yes, I have noticed in meetings that men tend to dominate conversations and are more aggressive, while women are polite and are better listeners. But I do see more female scientists now who will speak out when they see an opportunity, such as Miriam Diamond, who I admire for her ability to ask insightful questions. I would say it is important to make an effort to let others know when they do a good job, I try to make a point of doing this as much as possible. Also, your tone of voice determines the confidence level that comes across, and in sounding more authoritative, and this is something that does develop with time as a scientist and project leader. In terms of giving plenary talks, it is importance that your passion comes through, and this means that there is a certain level of ‘energy’ that needs to be put into the talk. One more suggestion, is to try to turn things into a positive angle, and avoid sounding negative.

]]>International Women’s Day Celebration: #SheInspiresMehttp://www.laurentiansetac.ca/2019/03/international-womens-day-celebration-sheinspiresme/
Fri, 08 Mar 2019 01:16:13 +0000http://www.laurentiansetac.ca/?p=4311In celebration of International Women’s Day, volunteers from the Diversity in Science Committee (DISC) wrote about women in science that inspire us. Kudos to these amazing women! How about you? Want to join us? Tweet @LaurentianSETAC about it!

#SheInspiresMe: Amila O. De Silva, Research Scientist at Environment and Climate Change Canada

“Since beginning as a Research Technologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada in the Aquatics Contaminants Research Division, I have found myself surrounded by intelligent, kind and amazing women. Amila de Silva, who is an outstanding scientist, leads my group. I have witnessed countless acts of her being an advocate for justice and equality in the workplace. She empowers the women around her and celebrates in everyone’s successes. I am extremely fortunate to have this accomplished woman to learn from.”

“Another incredible woman I have had the pleasure to encounter at ECCC is Leah Chibwe. She is a postdoc here working on non-targeted analysis of organic environmental pollutants. There are have been times where I have been on my last string with my research project and she provided awesome advice and anecdotes from her own personal journey that refocused and rejuvenated my drive. I can honestly say that these women inspire me to strive for greatness in everything I do and that they have been instrumental in growing my confidence as a #womeninSTEM #sheinspiresme”

#SheInspiresMe: Amber Gleason, Environmental Research Lab and Field Technologist at Environment Canada and Climate Change; Amila O. De Silva and Jane Kirk, Research Scientists at Environment Canada and Climate Change

“The three musketeers, Amila De Silva (@amilaods), Jane Kirk (@JaneKirkHg), and Amber Gleason, inspire me because they are an example of amazing women in science who grew by supporting one another through personal and career challenges.”

“Sarah Roberts is one of my favourite women in science to work along side with. She is in the field of paleolimnology, a field I wasn’t overly familiar with until I met her. She exudes a passion for her work and almost lights up every time she talks about sediment coring, field work and the other aspects related to her work. She is honestly one of the kindest, and most supporting people and women in STEM. Science can be almost cutthroat with deadlines, biases, balancing work and life, etc. She is a breath of fresh air and I hope she continues to have the courage to be an advocate for herself and others.”

“Born in Italy, Maria immigrated to Canada in the late 1960s at age 4. Her blue-collar parents wanted the best for their children, and felt strongly that they should get an education, as a key to independence and better work conditions. Maria earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from McMaster University in the mid-1980s, at a time when the field was poorly represented with regards to gender and cultural diversity. She joined Environment Canada (now ECCC) in 1989, and has worked with several scientists over the years. Nearly a year ago, as I joined ECCC’s Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, I had the fortune of being lucky number 7 in becoming Maria’s supervisor. Fearless of change, rather than sticking to the familiar, Maria took me under her wing and instilled order in what has been a whirlwind year of firsts. Maria is extremely organized and resourceful, and her support and enthusiasm have been the driving force behind our research. Her exceptional work ethic inspires me to give the best of myself and become a better supervisor.”

]]>Sharing our Love for Science with High School Students: Laurentian SETAC celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Sciencehttp://www.laurentiansetac.ca/2019/02/laurentian-setac-celebrates-the-international-day-of-women-and-girls-in-science/
Wed, 27 Feb 2019 18:19:38 +0000http://www.laurentiansetac.ca/?p=4273Sharing our Love for Science with High School Students: Laurentian SETAC celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science

A note from Oana Birceanu, the 2019 Laurentian SETAC President

On December 22, 2015, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Assembly voted to establish a day to recognize the essential role that women and girls play in science. The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is February 11 and it was celebrated for the first time in 2017. Laurentian SETAC has been marking it since its very beginning.

This year, on February 11, 2019, the Laurentian Chapter of SETAC celebrated the International Day of Women and Girls in Science by taking the discussion on diversity and equity to Robert Bateman High School in Burlington. To take it one step further, our chapter organized a “Science on the Road” event, where government, consulting and academic groups shared their love for science with the students. There were 15 interactive booths, where students got to do hands-on experiments such as building their own water filter, trying on field equipment, cutting a sediment core, observing aquatic invertebrates in action, and answering science-based quizzes to test their knowledge. Approximately 350 students from six local high schools participated in the event. The local participating schools were: Craig Kielburger Secondary School, Dr Frank J. Hayden Secondary School, Garth Webb Secondary School, Nelson High School, École Secondaire Gaétan-Gervais and Robert Bateman High School.

The event was conceptualized, organized and led by four of our most active members, in close collaboration with Ms. Megan Merwart, Literacy and Student Success teacher at Robert Bateman High School. Our members, who are also part of the L-SETAC Diversity in Science Committee, have put themselves in the spotlight, to advocate for equity and diversity in science:

The day started with an introduction of the event, led by Drs. Gilroy, Frank and Roberts, where they talked about the importance of celebrating and promoting diversity in our community. This was followed by presentations from five women scientists, representing academia, government and industry, at various stages of their careers: Leah Chibwe, Natalie Feisthauer, Sheena Campbell, Karen Bechard and myself. I was fortunate to be a part of that group and to tell my story as an immigrant, who then became a scientist. Hearing about everyone’s journeys and being part of a group that celebrates our diversity, our accents, our multiculturalism and our abilities was a very powerful moment for me and prompted me to write this note, as the current president of the chapter. This event has made me realize how lucky we are to be part of Laurentian SETAC, a chapter that is small, by comparison to its parent organization, but one that has a powerful voice, a voice that did and will continue to make a difference in our community and beyond.

I am grateful to Ève, Leah, Rick and Sarah for using their voices to stand up for what they believe in. I would also like to thank them, and all our participating groups, for their commitment to our chapter and for dedicating their free time to send an important message to the next generation of scientists. The age of early adolescence is when important decisions are made regarding one’s career. My hope is that, through this event, our chapter has encouraged more teenagers to do two things for themselves: 1) stand up for what they believe in: promote equity and embrace diversity, and 2) know that they can be whatever you want to be, irrespective of gender, ability and cultural background.

Lastly, I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage all our members to take part in the Laurentian SETAC events. You will find a very supportive group, where its members uplift each other and take that spirit to the community around them. I am very proud to be a part of this chapter!

Sincerely,

Oana

Oana Birceanu, Ph.D.

President, Laurentian Chapter of SETAC

Thank you for celebrating the 2019 International Day of Women and Gills in Science with Laurentian SETAC

]]>SETAC North America Awardshttp://www.laurentiansetac.ca/2019/02/setac-north-america-awards-and-fellowships/
Wed, 27 Feb 2019 13:07:05 +0000http://www.laurentiansetac.ca/?p=4264Do you know of deserving SETAC members that need to be recognized for their hard work? The SETAC North America Awards Committee is asking SETAC members to provide the names of potential deserving nominees for our professional awards (see list of awards below). You can get more details about the awards using this link https://www.setac.org/?page=SNAAwards

Stephen J. Klaine Environmental Education Award

Eugene Kenaga SETAC Membership Award

SETAC Government Service Award

Outstanding Regional Chapter Member

SETAC/EA Jeff Black Fellowship Award

Names can be submitted using the link below February 28, 2019 (Note: the deadline for complete nomination packages are April 30th, we just want names by the end of February.)

Calling all Laurentian SETAC Members and friends! SETAC Toronto 2019 will be needing volunteers during the conference Opportunity to network, get involved and give back! Registration desk, conference room IT, presenter support, short course set up, and so much more……(minimum ½ day commitments required)

Let’s show SETAC NA and the WORLD how Laurentian SETAC can mobilize and get into ACTION

• 58th Annual Bay Area Science and Engineering Fair (BASEF) http://basef.ca/) –March 29th, 2019 at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario –Mission: BASEF exists to encourage and reward students in the Region of Halton and the City of Hamilton who have expressed an interest in science, engineering and technology. –Grades: 7 – 12 –Contact Gerald Tetreault: gerald.tetreault@canada.ca – – •

The Stream
Monitoring and Assessment short course organized by Laurentian SETAC was a fun
introduction to the instruments and field techniques commonly used for assessing
aquatic ecosystem condition. This course gave a brief overview of the Canadian
Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN), which was developed by Environment
Canada as a standardized sampling protocol and recommended assessment approach
for consistent, comparable and scientifically credible biological assessments
of streams.

This chilly autumn morning
started with beautiful, blue skies and the persistent splashing of salmon spawning
in the shallow pools of Bronte Creek at Lowville Park in North Burlington,
Ontario. The experience of watching these fish and being in the water with them
as they torpedoed around us, gave a unique perspective of why these types of
courses and a knowledge of stream and river health are so vital for ecosystems
everywhere. The experienced and knowledgeable instructors, Tim Pascoe and Tana
McDaniel from Environment and Climate Change Canada, were engaging and helped
mentor students and young professionals alike with their own CABIN experiences,
the purpose of this type of field work and how the data could be used to benefit
aquatic systems.

Each participant learned
to measure stream discharge, having ample instruction and time to utilize and
familiarize themselves with the necessary equipment and data recording and
analyses. Samples of stream water, sediment and the benthic invertebrate
community were collected at various locations within Bronte Creek. Although the
sampling locations varied, the assessment adhered to the CABIN protocol, ensuring
consistency in sampling and comparable results. Apart from gaining valuable field
experience, participants were able to engage with one another and network in a
relaxed and fun environment. This opportunity is highly recommended to anyone
interested in gaining more field experience, looking to network or looking to
learn some new sampling techniques.

For those
individuals interested in learning more about the CABIN protocol, participating
in the instructional CABIN training course or obtaining official CABIN
certification are encouraged to check the following link: http://canadianriversinstitute.com/training/cabin/

]]>Laurentian SETAC goes to CEW 2018http://www.laurentiansetac.ca/2019/01/4037/
Thu, 03 Jan 2019 21:10:33 +0000http://www.laurentiansetac.ca/?p=4037The annual Canadian Ecotoxicity Workshop (CEW) has always been known for great food, fun and intimate networking opportunities, and a truly excellent student program. This year’s 45th CEW, which took place at the Sheraton Wall Center in Vancouver, was no exception – the food was delicious, the banquet dancefloor was packed, and the student program was easily the best one yet. Tri-chairs Curtis Eickhoff (Nautilus Environmental), Vicki Marlatt (Simon Fraser University), and Bonnie Lo (Nautilus Environmental) did a fantastic job making the 2018 CEW inclusive, memorable, educational, and enjoyable.

Three top-notch plenary speakers Bob McDonald, Tyson Atleo, and Peter Ross were fascinating and inspiring, and they perfectly complimented the meeting’s theme “Science. Application. Action.” We learned about real world environmental science and human relationships in the Anthropocene – how indigenous communities, the North American 20th century lifestyle, and public opinion can have an influence on important environmental issues, and the application of science and action of policy.

I participated in this year’s student program as both a mentor and a judge, and in the scientific program as a presenter and a session chair. I was very impressed with the quality of science delivered at this years’ CEW; research that offered me insights to science I had not previously understood. For instance, I learned new concepts about citizen science programs in the Athabasca oil sands, behavioral changes in fish due to altered olfaction, and how public pressure has resulted in reactionary pesticide bans and may be neglecting instances of responsible agricultural practices which are critical to food production.

CEW Student Networking Mixer on Sunday evening before the opening reception was a huge success – there were actually more mentors than students – which gave all students the opportunity to interact with career scientists in industry, academia, and government. The question and answer panel led to intense discussions about different career paths and what it takes to be a happy and successful ecotoxicologist. If you are a student and haven’t been to one of these events before, I encourage you to get involved and participate in next year’s CEW student program because these opportunities are rare and highly valuable. Contact CEW’s graduate student advisor Hossein Mehdi (mehdih1@mcmaster.ca) for more information about being involved with CEW as a graduate or undergraduate student.

Next year’s CEW will take place in Quebec City from October 6 to 9 (2019) at the Québec City Convention Centre, and promises to be another unforgettable workshop. Don’t forget to check the CEW website (https://ecotoxcan.ca/) in February to find out more about next year’s program!

Student Spotlight
Up to 5 presentations, each 10 mins in length + time for questions
Presentations will be evaluated by volunteer judges
Winner will receive a voucher toward a meal at the Clock Tower at a future pub night and will receive notoriety on the L-SETAC website and social media!